Hi everyone,
Just wondering how long pain lasted after laparoscopy for everyone? My op was 1st of August, untethering of bowel uterus/ovary and pelvic wall and excision from both pelvic walls/ligaments. I also had cold coagulation on cervix and biopsies taken of the uterus. For the most part, my pain is getting better day by day, but I keep getting bouts of lower back pain/period cramp. Just wondering how long this might go on for? When I might see the improvements?
Hallo! I’ve had 3 laps, each took at least 3 weeks to start feeling better. We’re all different and you sound like you had a lot of work done, so keep listening to your body and don’t push yourself.
Thank you for replying! I’m struggling to establish when I’ll be back at work. Some days I feel like I’m getting back to normal and others I’m shattered and in pain. Can I ask when you went back to work?
Sure! I was given 2 weeks off work by the hospital, then had to get another week via my GP. I was nowhere near healed approaching the second week (I was like an upturned tortoise 😆). After the 3 weeks, I actually arranged to go back part time for a further 2 weeks as I was still feeling delicate.
In your case, it sounds like you need to force yourself to take it easy and wait at least 2-3 consecutive days of feeling “better” before you can make a judgement on your healing. Also, if you can bear it, keep taking your painkillers regularly even if you don’t feel like you need them, perhaps for another few days or a week?
Are you in regular contact with your manager/HR? Don’t feel pressured by them but it helps to communicate well with them.
Thank you for this.
I’m an absolutely control freak so I’m itching to be back and caught up, but I do not want to do it at the detriment of my health. I really need this to have worked to get a semblance of life back, I want to give myself the best possible chance.
I’ve had a check in with my manager today who has said let’s assess how I’m feeling on Friday as my sick note is up then. I can work from home, no issue and phased return is also available. There’s no pressure from them, more myself I think. I just feel guilty leaving everything with my small team, which is absolutely stupid! Health comes first.
I completely agree on the consecutive days, I’ve not had any this far. They said I should feel better every day that passes but I’ve absolutely found it to be very up and down! Thank you so much for sharing/your advice I think I will end up taking an additional week x
You’re very welcome! I too am a control freak! 😂 But I’ve also learnt to listen to my body, and to know my physical and mental limits. I didn’t consider you could work from home but that might make a phased return much easier. I hope you get the time off you need, and I’m glad that you have an understanding workplace.
Let me know if you need more advice xx
My managers wife also suffers with Endo, so whilst it’s unfortunate for her, my manager is extremely understanding and supportive having seen someone go through it for years. I can’t believe some of the things I read about how people are treated in the workplace when they’re struggling. It’s unfathomable.
The work from home angle is what’s making the decision difficult but I’m probably overthinking it. Rest is best for the time being. I’m still sleeping on and off through the day so I’m definitely not there yet, will just trust my instincts and prioritise myself for a bit.
Thanks again xx
Hey, I had ending taken off my uterosacrel ligaments and adhesions plus module removed and honestly it took about 3 mths before the pain improved. I think because of the ligaments and all the nerves so I couldn't sit on a normal chair fir quite a while and needed an adapted cushion. I had physio which really helped. As the above says everyone's different so depends on how much they removed. Get well soon 
xx
I’ve been reading up on physio, I can absolutely see how it’s beneficial. I’ve been having different bowel symptoms post surgery so think I definitely need to strengthen my pelvic walls. Did you get this on the NHS or pay privately? Can I ask how quickly you went back to work? Thank you xx
Hey, it was through the nhs. I asked to be referred at my surgery follow up it took 2 mths before it started but I was still recovering so was fine for me. I went back to work at the 3mths mark but had a phased return for about 6 weeks just because my job involved prolonged sitting so needed more time to do a full day. Hopefully won't be as long for you. I had 0% aftercare or advice so had to figure it all out myself as is typical with this condition sadly. It might be worth going back to GP re physio to speed it along? All the best xx
Hi, same as below. I had similar work done on 12th June and just over last 2 weeks starting to feel back to normal. Still a bit lethargic and the odd bit of pain but it's got to the point now where I don't really think about it and then think huh, not been in pain today. I was taking painkillers every 4 hours for the first 6 weeks! I seriously thought something must be wrong as they say you should be fine within 7-10 days. That is a total lie!
Just take it easy, don't let anybody else tell you when you should be feeling better, listen to your own body.
Thank you for this. I feel like I wake everyday move around and am like maybe I can do a tablet free day today, then out of nowhere pain/knackered. Patience isn’t my strong suit but I’m really trying to give myself the best chance at recovering fully to feel the benefit of the surgery. It’s actually mentally really challenging going through the surgery and recovering, whilst you’re still unsure if it’s worked. X
Hi,
Similar to all the other comments but I thought I’d add my experience! I’m currently 8 weeks post op and finally feel like my “normal” self again. I was off work for 3 weeks in total (as I actually had a holiday already booked after my sick note ran out) and once I was back I had to take it really steady and do a phased return.
Lifestyle wise at times up to the 6 weeks post op mark I found it very frustrating how some days I could be absolutely fine and then others I could still have fatigue or could trigger off swelling/bloating of my tummy if I over did things like exercise or lifting, which in turn caused a dull ache type of pain. Thanks to this forum I realised it was all totally normal and not as quick to recover as the advice from the hospital suggested! I have an electric heat pad which I would really recommend if you don’t have one already for in the evenings if further down the line you have any aching pain.
Be kind to yourself, don’t feel guilty for resting and listen to your body. My mood was quite low for a while as I put a lot of pressure on myself to be recovered and felt frustrated, but after I realised it’s a marathon not a sprint life got easier.
Wishing you all the best with your recovery x
Thank you for this. I’m currently still firmly attached to my hot water bottle. (My partner is doing them for me since the kettle is heavy haha) I’ve definitely felt the up and down of recovery. It has been really frustrating, but I’m trying to to be patient with myself and just give it time.
I’m going back to work on a Monday. Working from home though for just a couple of hours in the morning. Mostly to give me a bit of structure. If it’s too much I’ll absolutely just take another week off. Phased return is absolutely best. X
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